Great excitement today – the Postman arrived with a large
envelope from the National Archives. At last! But I did not find the plans I
was expecting. There was a written description of the intended layout and much
discussion about whether the officers and engineers could use the lavatories
amidships, but no plans.
Leaping onto my
computer I began to write an e-mail to the National Archives, but was
interrupted by another ring on the door bell. The Postman had returned with a
parcel he had overlooked – a large postal tube from the National Archives. Yes,
inside were two blueprints, plan and side elevation of the Cormorant (now
called Lady Dixon). So cancel the e-mail.
These plans will take some time to study of course. First
impressions –
The plans are annotated in pen and ink and rubber
stamped. These annotations are very clear, almost as if they had been added
yesterday, not 70 years ago.
There is an Aga stove indicated in the galley. Is that
the one I mentioned in an earlier post? In
which case Simon cannot dispose of this historic artifact!
The Captain seems to have as much living space as the
rest of the crew put together!
The light is definitely fixed, with an exterior ladder
for access. As there is no mention of alterations to this mast, I must assume that the Cormorant was updated sometime earlier from the original 'hoistable' lamp to a fixed lamp as seen here.
There is a ‘Diaphone Turret’ next to the main mast.
I may have solved the question of the difference in the shape of the stern between
the Belfast Pilot Station photo and Simon’s ship – a ‘boat
platform’ has been added.
There is much to discover, but I will have to leave the
rest for another day!
David
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